Krystal D’Costa selects notable ResearchBlogging.org posts in the social sciences, covering anthropology, research, and philosophy. She blogs about anthropology, technology, and urban life at Anthropology in Practice. Follow her on Twitter @krystaldcosta.
- First, medical conditions are often influenced by social context. At Bones Don’t Lie, Katy Meyers compares osteoporosis in Ancient Rome to modern times highlighting the effect of lifestyle on this condition.
- Kristina Killgrove has a fascinating posting at Powered By Osteons on the use of anatomical votives in the Ancient World—that is, small offerings shaped like body parts used in prayers. The question at hand is whether a recently uncovered votive represents a uterus.
- And finally, the Neuroskeptic asks whether the stigma associated with mental illness really exists. A study investigated the perception of friendliness and competence associated with certain mental illnesses producing some interesting results.
I’ll be back next week with more from anthropology, philosophy, and research.